Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Clifton, TN to Murfreesboro, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
116.7 mi
188 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Clifton to Murfreesboro covers 116.7 miles, typically taking about 2 hours and 32 minutes of drive time. This journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it doesn't require an overnight stay to manage the distance comfortably. You should plan on setting aside approximately $18 for fuel to complete the trek. The route transitions across the Southeast region of Tennessee, shifting from the more remote areas near Clifton toward the growing hub of Murfreesboro. Since this is a straightforward drive with only one suggested stop, it serves as an efficient connection between these two points. It is a practical option if you are looking to reach your destination without a complex itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.3 miles from Clifton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 21.2 mi | 22m |
| Waynesboro Highway | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| US 412 | 14.1 mi | 16m |
| Hampshire Pike | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Columbia Highway | 13 mi | 16m |
| I 65 | 12.1 mi | 12m |
| Morrison Creek Road | 5 mi | 8m |
| Beech Creek Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
— 21.2 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, TN and Murfreesboro, TN.
1
Start on SR 128
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Water Street
2
Continue on TN 128
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Linden Highway
3
Turn right onto TN 228
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Morrison Creek Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto TN 228
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Beech Creek Road
5
Continue on TN 228
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Smith Branch Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto TN 13
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 13
7
Continue on TN 13
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Waynesboro Highway
8
Continue on TN 13
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 13
9
Turn right onto SR 48
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Waynesboro Highway
10
Continue on SR 48
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Park Street
11
Turn right onto US 412
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
12
Continue on US 412
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Columbia Highway
13
Continue on US 412
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Hampshire Pike
14
Take the exit onto US 412
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 412
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
14 mi
·
16 min
·
US 412
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
17
Merge onto I 65
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 65
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 59A-B
Toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 59A
Toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
20
Merge onto I 840
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Use the right lane.
24
Turn straight onto SR 96
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
26
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft
·
6 sec
27
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northwest Broad Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Main Street
29
Turn right onto South Maple Street
138 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Maple Street
30
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
467 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Public Square
31
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
47 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Main Street
32
Continue on East Main Street
347 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Main Street
33
Turn right onto South Spring Street
84 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Spring Street
34
Arrive at destination
South Spring Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 2-hour and 32-minute trip, aim to depart during off-peak hours to ensure a smoother transition onto US 412. Because the route is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your single recommended stop whenever you feel you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels before leaving Clifton, as the $18 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local station pricing. Since the drive includes a mix of highway and local roads, be prepared for shifting traffic density as you approach Murfreesboro. Utilizing the 21.2-mile stretch on the Tennessee National Guard Parkway is a great opportunity to settle into a comfortable cruising pace before reaching the busier sections of your journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.3 miles from Clifton, TN, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 26 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murfreesboro, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clifton, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clifton, TN
This is one driving day of about 116.7 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Clifton, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Tennessee National Guard Parkway for about 21.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.3 miles from Clifton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
The Bug Man
0.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 88 and 116 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
88 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 59A-B
Toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
7
88.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59A
Toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
7
109.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
113.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
6
116 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.24 one way
$36.49 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.03 | $40.06 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.46 | $44.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.77 | $51.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.25 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.21 | $4.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.34 | $7.47 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Clifton, TN
Late night in Clifton on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Murfreesboro, TN
Late night in Murfreesboro on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
17 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 32m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 112.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances local roads with primary thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, Waynesboro Highway, and US 412 throughout the 116.7-mile trip. Roughly 48% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a blend of steady cruising and slower, more localized stretches. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, spanning 21.2 miles of the route. As you progress, the road conditions shift, requiring you to remain attentive to changing speed limits and traffic patterns as you move between these distinct Tennessee corridors.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.2 mi on Tennessee National Guard Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 88 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 116.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 88 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clifton, TN and Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and 840: Knoxville.
Knoxville
88 mi in
|
~1h 57m
840: Knoxville
88.2 mi in
|
~1h 57m
About the Cities
Arriving in Murfreesboro, TN
Full guide →Murfreesboro is a city in the Nashville metropolitan area of Middle Tennessee. It is the largest suburb of Nashville and the sixth largest city in Tennessee. Since the 1990s, Murfreesboro has been Tennessee's fastest growing major city and one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Murfreesboro is home to Middle Tennessee State University, the second largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee, with almost 23,000 students in 2014.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 116.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.2 miles on Tennessee National Guard Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Murfreesboro, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 88 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Murfreesboro, TN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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